Saipem has started operations for the GranMorgu development offshore Suriname, marking the beginning of installation activities for the country’s first large-scale deepwater oil project.

The campaign commenced with the arrival of the Normand Navigator multi-purpose construction vessel in Suriname. The vessel is currently berthed at Jules Sedney Harbor in Paramaribo and is preparing to begin preliminary offshore activities.

The GranMorgu project is being developed by TotalEnergies, alongside partners APA Corporation and Staatsolie. Production is targeted to begin in mid-2028.

Under a contract valued at approximately $1.9 billion, Saipem is responsible for the engineering, procurement, supply, construction, installation, pre-commissioning and start-up of the subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) system.

The offshore installation campaign will cover water depths ranging from 100 m to 1,100 m. To execute the work, Saipem plans to deploy a combination of S-Lay and J-Lay vessels.

To support the project, the company has secured a logistics hub covering up to 40,000 m² within the port area. The facility will be used to receive, handle and store pipes before they are loaded onto supply vessels for offshore transport.

Saipem will also utilize the DORDT marine support base in Paramaribo to manage heavy subsea structures and manifolds required for the development.

First oil from GranMorgu is scheduled for mid-2028. The project will be supported by a floating production, storage and offloading vessel supplied by SBM Offshore.

The FPSO is designed to process up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day and 500 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

Construction of the FPSO hull is currently being completed at the China Merchants Heavy Industry (CHMI) shipyard in China.

Located approximately 150 km offshore Suriname, the GranMorgu field is estimated to contain more than 750 million barrels of recoverable oil reserves.